Free Love After War by Cheris Hodges

who’s ever been able to read me like a book. Remember that mess I was telling you about?”
    She nodded. “Adrian, why don’t you tell me what this is all about?”
    â€œIt doesn’t concern you and this is what I wanted to avoid.” He sighed and rubbed his forehead. “Hey, let’s get some breakfast.”
    â€œBreakfast?” she asked as she glanced at the clock. “It’s barely six a.m.”
    Adrian smiled, then ripped the sheet from her body. “Well, then, let’s start with me having you for my breakfast.”
    He spread her thighs, kissing her hot wetness with a fervor that rendered her speechless. What about that phone call? Well, her mind clicked as his hot tongue lashed her throbbing bud, that could wait. Lusty feelings invaded her body, sapped her rational thoughts out of her head and her body, and made her give in to the desire. The passion and the skill of Adrian’s tongue. Her legs shivered and her thighs quivered as Adrian deepened his kiss, pressed his tongue against her clitoris, and released a hot breath that made her love come down like rain.
    Dana screamed his name as her thighs turned to jelly and she reached an explosive climax. Adrian pulled back and smiled at the sated expression on Dana’s face. If he could cocoon himself in the room with her forever, he’d be happy. He wouldn’t need to seek revenge on the father who never wanted him. Wouldn’t need to avenge his mother, who died with that man on her mind. Her last breath whispered Elliot Crawford’s name.
    The soft stroke of Dana’s hand against his cheek brought him back to this moment.
    â€œWhere did you go?” she asked.
    â€œI’m right here.”
    She held his face with both hands, staring deep into his eyes. Adrian’s body shifted. “I know you and I know that look. You’re either going to tell me what’s going on or tell me good-bye—again.”
    â€œCan we just have today? Let it be about me and you?”
    â€œAnd if I want tomorrow?” Dana shook her head. “Your mess returns then, right?”
    â€œDana, if I could give you all of my tomorrows, I would. This—”
    â€œAre you married?” she bellowed, then leaped from the bed. “Get the hell out of my room.”
    Adrian chuckled at her. Naked. Angry. So damned sexy. He didn’t move a muscle, simply watched her heave.
    â€œThink what you want about me, but I’m not a cheater and I ain’t married.”
    Dana paused as if she realized she looked absolutely ridiculous. She wiped a few beads of sweat from her forehead and reached for the short white robe on the back of the desk chair. Slipping it on, she asked, “What is it, Adrian? What was that call about—and don’t try to change the subject again.”
    He crossed over to her, leaving a sliver of space between them. While he wanted to wrap his arms around her and inhale her fragrance, he decided to be honest . . . sort of.
    â€œAll right, there are some issues with my clubs. I’ve been pretty hands-off and the wrong element has gotten involved. I’m trying to keep it quiet working with the LAPD to get things cleaned up without publicity.”
    â€œHow long has this been going on?”
    Hearing the concern and the tortured look in her eyes made his lies burn on his tongue like acid. But telling the truth would compromise his second chance. “I don’t want you worrying about this. I have to take care of my problems on my own.”
    â€œAdrian, I . . .” Dana’s voice trailed off as she looked into his eyes. Did she see through the lie? “Where do we go from here? I thought I needed one last night with you to get you out of my system, to get closure. But now I feel . . .”
    â€œDana,” he whispered. “I need you back in my life, but this isn’t how I want it. I love you and I don’t want any of this nastiness to